Region's population shrinking

CRADLE Coast is losing people as its population continues to shift eastwards.

The total North-West and West Coast population decreased by 120 in the year to the end of June 2013.

It was the only one of the state's regions to go backwards on population, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

The South gained 1098 people in that time and the North gained 75.

Most of the growth was in Hobart.

Latrobe was the strongest growing municipality in the North- West, adding 169 people.

The West Coast lost 90 people and the Acton- Upper Burnie area of Burnie shed 60.

Of the region's nine municipalities, only Latrobe, Kentish (80) and Waratah-Wynyard (three) grew their populations.

The three biggest population municipalities went backwards, with Burnie's loss of 164 people the biggest in the state.

Devonport shed 86 and Central Coast lost 23.

The eastern end municipalities (Central Coast, Devonport, Latrobe and Kentish) grew by 141 people to 65,135, with growth at Latrobe and Kentish more than making up for the other two.

The five western end municipalities lost a combined 261 people, leaving their population at 48,876.

The eastern growth and western decline has been running for some years, with the eastern end now having about four people for every three in the western end.

TALLYING THE NUMBERS: Demographer Amina Keygan says economic factors, such as lack of employment opportunities, are often the main push or pull drivers in the relocation of individuals and families. Picture: Stuart Wilson.

Demographer Amina Keygan said "... economic factors, such as lack of employment opportunities, are often the main push or pull drivers in the relocation of individuals and families."

"Unfortunately, Burnie municipality is currently experiencing a high rate of unemployment (10.5 per cent) and I suspect this explains a majority of the population loss we have had in the area."